The new buses were introduced this morning in Sweetheart Circle and staff members from various departments in the university were present to answer questions and explain new features of the buses.

“We believe that you are getting a good return on your investment in these buses,” President Brooks Keel said.

The buses were handmade in Riverside, Ca. and were customized from the inside out for the university’s needs, even down to the nuts and bolts, Eddie Mills, associate vice president of auxiliary affairs, said.  

The new buses are significantly roomier than the old buses, although they still have around the same seating capacity as the old buses, Kristi Bryant, director of parking and transportation, said.

The new buses have 38 seats and a total capacity of 55 students, Bryant said.

A significant change to the interior structure of the bus is the raised platform in the back and also the removal of steps to get on and off the bus.

“You don’t have stairs to climb which is going to decrease the loading and unloading time,” Bryant said.

The new buses run 20 percent cleaner using biodiesel fuel which has five percent recycled cooking oil, Mills said.

Students will also be able to track the buses using their smartphones with an app called “Street Eagle,” Mills said.  

With the app, students will be able to see where the buses are located on the route and plan accordingly.

The app has not been launched yet, but the hopes are that it will be available the first week of March, Mills said.

“(Driving the new buses) is like night and day.  They ride a whole lot better.  The A/C and heat actually works and the driver can set a temperature,” Maurice Foy, trainer/instructor for First Transit, said.